How bladder tumors change metabolism to turn off the immune system
Molecular Mechanisms of Bladder Cancer Immunometabolism
Researchers are looking at how bladder tumors and nearby cells make molecules that suppress immune responses, with the goal of helping people with bladder cancer respond better to immunotherapy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11299492 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project focuses on tumor-associated Schwann-like cells in bladder cancer that release signals promoting an immune-suppressive environment. The team is studying a long noncoding RNA (PVT1) that helps activate the enzyme TDO2, leading to production of kynurenine which blunts T cell activity and expands suppressive myeloid cells. Researchers will combine laboratory experiments, preclinical models, and analysis of patient tumor samples to map these pathways and test molecular targets. The work aims to identify new ways to sensitize resistant bladder cancers to current immunotherapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with bladder cancer—especially those whose tumors did not respond to PD-1/PD-L1 drugs or show signs of an immune-suppressed tumor environment—would be the most relevant candidates for follow-up studies or trials.
Not a fit: People without bladder cancer or whose tumors do not use the described metabolic/lncRNA pathway are unlikely to benefit directly from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could make some bladder cancers that currently resist immunotherapy more likely to respond, improving treatment options and outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies have linked TDO2 and kynurenine to tumor immune suppression, but targeting tumor-resident Schwann-like cells and their lncRNAs is a relatively new and less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yang, Liuqing — University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Yang, Liuqing
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.